Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
William John Carter was born in the 4th quarter of 1890 in Abinger, Surrey to carpenter and general labourer Frederick and Louisa Eliza Carter (nee Churcher). He was baptised on 2nd November 1890 at St James’ church in Abinger. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Wotton, Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Harrow Road in Dorking. Frederick was working as a general labourer and Louisa was looking after their children: Annie and William. The household further comprised of a visitor, schoolgirl, Sarah White.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Railway Arms Yard, Westhumble, Surrey. Frederick was working as a garden labourer and Louisa was looking after their children: Annie, William, Frederick and Louisa.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 16a Cotmandene, Dorking. Frederick was working as a woodman and Louisa was at home. The family further comprised of their children: woodmen William and Frederick and schoolchildren Joseph and Amy. Louisa stated that she had given birth to six children. The accommodation had five rooms.
William Carter enlisted in Dorking into the 1st/5th Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental numbers 2182 and T/240481. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Dorking.
DEATH IN MESOPOTAMIA
PTE. W. J. CARTER
The Queen’s
Information has been received of the death in Mesopotamia from diphtheria of Pte. W. J. Carter, of the Queen’s son of Mr and Mrs F. Carter of S. Leslie Road, Dorking. Pte Carter was in the Territorials five and a half years, and was called up on September 2nd 1914. He went with his regiment to Lucknow, and subsequently to Mesopotamia, where he died on January 2nd. In civil life he was employed at Mr Brooker’s timber yard and also at Mr Cooke’s lime works.
William John Carter Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
According to the 1918 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, William was in the Territorials for five and a half years and was called up on 2nd September 1914. He went with his regiment to Lucknow and subsequently to Mesopotamia. In civil life he was employed at Mr Brooker’s timber yard and also at Mr Cooke’s lime works.
William Carter died from diphtheria on 2nd January 1918 in Feluja, Mesopotamia.
Baghdad War Memorial Roll of Honour
© CWGC.org
He is buried at the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. His grave reference number is: II.B. 8.
William John was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
He left to his father Frederick Carter £33, 12s and 10d on 25th July 1918, and a further £15, 10s on 12th September 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
William’s mother Louisa Eliza Carter later lived at 3 Leslie Road, Dorking.
Carter Family History
William’s father Frederick Carter was born in the 3rd quarter of 1854 in Abinger, Surrey to labourer and sawyer John, born about 1821, and servant and charwoman Harriet (nee Coldman), born about 1821 in Wotton, Surrey. William’s mother Louisa Eliza Churcher was born in the 2nd quarter of 1867 in Epsom, Surrey to plate-layer and labourer William John, born about 1841 in Steyning, Sussex, and Mary Amelia, born about 1839 in Reigate, Surrey. Louisa was baptised on 14th April 1867 at St Martin’s church in Epsom. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Epsom.
Louisa and Frederick married on 7th May 1887 at St Paul’s church in Dorking, Surrey. At the time of their marriage the couple lived at 5 Horsham Road in Dorking and Frederick was working as a carpenter.
William John Carter had five siblings: Annie born about 1889 and Frederick George born about 1894, both in Abinger; and Louisa Carter born about 1897; Joseph Edwin born about 1904 and Amy Ada A. Carter born about 1906 all in Dorking.
| Born | Wotton, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Frederick and Harriet Carter (nee Coldman) of Dorking | |
| Regiment | 1st/5th Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | T/240481 | |
| Date of Death | 2nd January 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Mespotamia | |
| Cause of Death | Died of diphtheria | |
| Age | 27 | |
| Cemetery | Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq |
